Insulated Vehicle Charging Enclosure for Battery Warmth Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power feeding systems for vehicles, such as electric cars, face challenges in maintaining battery performance due to temperature variations, requiring complex equipment and increased energy consumption for temperature control, especially when air-conditioning is used.

Innovation Solution

A power feeding system with a heat-insulating accommodation portion, a power feeding unit, and a temperature sensor-controlled power feeding controller that adjusts power feeding to maintain the battery temperature within a suitable range, using heat generated during power feeding to regulate the temperature without separate temperature adjustment equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate temperature control equipment is used to maintain battery temperature, then battery performance is maintained, but equipment complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery performanceVSAvoidequipment configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the power feeding function with the temperature control function into a single integrated system. The power feeding unit serves dual purposes: charging the battery and generating heat to maintain battery temperature. This merging eliminates the need for separate temperature control equipment, resolving the contradiction between maintaining battery performance and reducing equipment complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The power feeding unit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical power to charge the battery and generates thermal energy to maintain optimal battery temperature. This multi-functionality allows a single device to address both charging and temperature control needs, thereby maintaining battery performance without adding separate temperature control equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If air-conditioning equipment is used to control battery temperature, then battery performance is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery performanceVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the heat generated during power feeding, which would otherwise be wasted energy, into a beneficial resource for maintaining battery temperature. By utilizing this internally generated heat, the system eliminates the need for additional heating energy consumption that would be required if separate temperature control equipment were used, especially in cold environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The power feeding system serves itself by using the heat generated during the charging process to maintain its own operating temperature requirements. The battery and power feeding unit create a self-regulating thermal environment, eliminating the need for external energy input for heating purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Temperature

If power feeding is increased to generate more heat, then battery temperature is maintained, but power feeding efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery temperatureVSAvoidpower feeding efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the temperature sensor continuously monitors battery temperature and the power feeding controller adjusts the power feeding rate accordingly. When battery temperature drops below the optimal range, the controller increases power feeding to generate heat; when temperature is sufficient, the controller reduces or stops additional heating power. This feedback loop maintains battery temperature while minimizing unnecessary energy expenditure, thereby preserving power feeding efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution effectively keeps the vehicle battery warm with a simple equipment configuration, reducing energy consumption and eliminating the need for additional temperature control equipment, while allowing for autonomous and unmanned power feeding operations.

Implementation Method 1

an accommodation portion (10) including a heat insulating material and configured to accommodate the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

controlling the power feeding to the battery such that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is within a temperature range suitable for keeping the battery warm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20230291024A1Power feeding system

Publication Date: 2023.09.14 IHI CORP

AI summary

A power feeding system feeds power to a vehicle equipped with a battery. The power feeding system includes: an accommodation portion including a heat insulating material and configured to accommodate the vehicle; a power feeding unit configured to feed power to the battery of the vehicle accommodated in the accommodation portion; a power feeding controller configured to control the power feeding to the battery by the power feeding unit; and a temperature sensor configured to detect temperature inside the accommodation portion. The power feeding controller is configured to control the power feeding to the battery such that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is within a temperature range suitable for keeping the battery warm.